The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-07-14

tho Farm.
(From the News and Courier.)
AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL Col
LEaE OF MISSISSIPPI, July 4.-Referrins
to o number Of notes taken in mid
summer tour of four of the most import
ant Southern States, [ do not know tina
l could select more interesting subjec
than the Agricultural and Mechanica
College of Mississippi. This may bc
stated without discounting, in any wise
tho many places, institutions and filings
of note along the lines of railways which
connect Charleston with the peculiarly
favored land in which the institution
named is situated.
THE COLLEGE.
To begin with, however, tho term
agricultural and Mechanical College" "
as applied to this College, is a mispomer
The mechanical department has not yet
been provided for, but may be realized
at any time when the institution is SO
far favored by tho Legislature Of Missis-
sippi. The College is, therefore, prac-
tlcally an agricultural institution with its
handmaidens Of the mechanical arts in
expectancy.
But whatever this institution may be it
has Caused great stir in social, agricul-
tIral and political circles ever since it's
establishments, seven years ago. It was
cradled in opposition, strong but not
fatal; it has travelled over o rough road
and still survives; and it has lived Gown
certain class of opponents and is still
doing battle against somo formidable
foes. AS between tho enemies of the
College and its friends tho lines are very
sharply drawn; and even the comrara-
tlVe stranger, who runs, may read.
THE ISSUES STATED.
Broadly stated, the question is one of
utility: Does it pay the taxpayer 70 sup
port the College,; and, granting the OBJ
Jects OF the College to be fully carried
out, do the results warrant the State in
continuing its appropriations? The his
tory of the College up to the present
timo carries with it the solution OF every
Que of these problems. Somcthinw Of
this history is, therefore, essential il q
clear conception of the interesting stu
alton.
IT'S ORIGIN.
From what can be learned from the
various published reports, the College
owes its origin to the Act of the General
Government, passed in 1862, to encour-
age the establishment of industrial col
lcges in the States. This Act, among
other things, provided for tho "endow-
ment, support and maintenance in each
State of at least one college where the
leading object shall be, without excIud-
ing other scientific and Classical studies,
and including military tactics, to teach
such branches of learning as are related
to agriculture and tho mechanic arts, in
States may respectively prescribe in Or
der to promote the liberal and practical
education of tho industrial classes" "
Mississippi's share of the agricultural
land scrip fund amounted in 1873 to
$227, $50, which is now in the State
treasury bearing five per cent. interest.
. The Mississippi Legislature in 1873
divided this fund between Alcorn Uni
versity for colorcd youths) and the
present Agricultural and Mechanical
College of Mississippi, giving to each
$l13,57O Subsequently the Legislature
expended $15, 900 of this money in the
purchase Of lands, leaving to each of the
institutions named balance of $98, 575,
which yields an annual interest at five
per cent. of about $1,928. The State
Legislature up to within the past year
or two has appropriated the sum of
$32, 500 annually for the support of the
institution.
THE BUILDINGS.
10 enable the State to avail itself of
the Federal aid it was necessary to erect
the College buildings, and these were
completed for occupation by the stu
dents and professors in 1880. These
buildings are about q mile and n half
west OF Starkvillc, and occupy positions
on both sides of branch of tho Mobile
and Ohio Railroad. The principal build
lngs face the south and are Just north Of
the railroad and on tho crest of hill, to
which the ascent from the railroad is
over n well-kept lawn. These buildings
are:
First, the academy, three stories IN
height, of brick, and 1877 feet long by 70
feet wide. The upper story consists of
six class-rOOms for the use of certain
professors i'll teaching; the second story
consists of six rooms for the use of other
professors, and on the first floor are the
College hall OF chapel and the offices OF
the president, Gen. Stephen ID. Lee, and
the secretary, Prof. IT, +. Watson.
Second, the dormitory, three stories
IN height, with basement. 1t has q front
OF 275 feet, running east and west, and
two wings, each l4O feet in depth, ex
tending at right angles to the mail
building. The first floor contains the
library, museum, lecture room. the
commandments quarters and n writine
room. On tho second floor are two Iaro5
rooms, an armOry and O guard room
The remaining rooms on this floor mr.,
chambers for the students. On thC +, W. irt
story arc about fifty rooms, .uscd hxcl,1
siveiy by the students. TIC qccommo
"dations of tho dormitory arc for from
200 to $50 students. 10l
Third, the laboratory, Sc feet LONG h,
38 wide, two story building, the u9oe
story of which contains large Iectnr,
room, an analytical room for the attn
donts, a private work-room for the bro
tessor OF chemistry, and apparatus roo
The lower story is used principally a
storerooms and analytical rooms, use,
bY Prof. A. NJ Mavora UybO 10 oloo a..